ELESTRONG Clever has been in high demand in offices, medical centers, and educational institutes due to its durability and marble colors, said the company.

The government-backed research institute, under the supervision of the ministry, runs a program called Environmental Declaration of Products (EDP) in which companies can submit their goods for a carbon emission rate assessment. The government agency calculates the product’s carbon emission rate, and if proven low, allows firms to place a rating number on the covers and labels.

The low-carbon certificate is only given if a company reduces a respective product’s emission rate by over 4.24 percent and reapplies it after the initial labeling.

LG Hausys’ flooring received its rate last year in June and won certification by decreasing its emission rate by over 13 percent. It is the first time a building material has received the low-carbon certification by the government since it started the EDP program.

The company’s New Gallant PVC tiles was the first in the industry to be placed according to its emission rate in 2009 since the ministry started the program. It has 24 products in its line-up that applied for EDP assessment and received ratings.

“We plan to play a leading role to expand eco-friendly interior materials and create households that are friendly to the environment by releasing more products with low carbon emissions,” said LG Hausys CEO Han Myeung-ho.

“Based on its green management system, LG Hausys practices systematic environment management,” said a company representative. “Our goal is to realize a truly green workplace through reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollution, expanded recycling and savings in resource use.”

The representative said the certification was a milestone and that the company will fulfill its social responsibility to the fullest extent going forward.

“We will continue to comply with the government’s low carbon, green growth policies.”

Other energy-efficient and environment-friendly products from the company include its glasses, windows and doors.

Korean companies, especially the chemical industry, have been expanding their green businesses following government policies to reduce carbon emissions.